HRD SECTOR

S.No.

Actionable Points

Action Taken

1.

Most NE States have a high percentage of untrained teachers. It was decided that a massive Teachers’ Training programme will be launched with the support of NCERT and IGNOU. One component of the programme, to be undertaken with the support of Teachers’ Training Institutions and through SCERTs and DIETs, will be led by NCERT which will coordinate the same with all concerned authorities and agencies.
Simultaneously, IGNOU will launch the programme through Distance mode on a vastly expanded scale, for which they may strengthen their set-up in the NE Region.

North East Regional Institute of Education (NERIE) at Shillong, which is a constituent unit of NCERT, has been entrusted with coordinating teachers’ training programmes and other programmes like training of resource persons.  The Principal, NERIE, Shillong has been asked to coordinate with States of North East and North Eastern Council on such matters.

The Certificate in Primary Education(CPE) is a 6 month training programme specially designed by IGNOU for Primary School teachers in the North Eastern States.  This is a programme started with the objective of clearining the backlog of untrained teachers.  Accordingly, it provides for issue of a certificate on successful completion of the programme.  The programme is a tripartite agreement between MHRD, NCTE & IGNOU.  The IGNOU has been conducting this programme since 2001.

2.

Shri P. P. Shrivastav, Member NEC will be in overall charge of the programme of training of Teachers of the NE States.

A list of teachers to be deputed for training from different States has been sent to NCERT.

3.

Given the geographical condition of Arunachal Pradesh, the problems of the State are unique. Their infrastructure particularly residential accommodation is not available in remote areas, therefore teachers do not go to these distant places. It was decided to form a Committee with HRD, NEC and DoNER to seek solution to specific problems of Arunachal Pradesh. The recommendations would be applicable to other States which have similar areas. The SSA norms may be examined for meeting these requirements.

To go into the question of providing residential accommodation for English teachers in Arunachal Pradesh, a committee is already functioning under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy on which Joint Secretary, Ministry of DoNER is also representative. The committee has already met two times. The committee is anticipated to come up with its conclusions shortly.

4.

For recruitment of teachers for schools the institution of village Panchayats may be used on the lines of Punjab State. Initial recruitment may be done from the Village Panchayat area first, then from Anchal area and then lastly from the district etc.

The recruitment of teachers is a matter entirely within the jurisdiction of the State Governments. However, increasingly the teachers are being recruited by the States at the local level under the aegis of village Panchayats. Meghalaya is recruiting primary school teachers through local bodies.

5.

Community Polytechnics should be involved for vocational training along with conventional system.

The existing scheme of Community Polytechnics was closed at the end of the X Plan, w.e.f. 31.7.2007.  An appraisal Committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Prof. Ranjit Singh, Chairman, All India Board of Vocational Education, AICTE to evaluate the scheme and work out modalities for its continuation in the XI Plan. The proposal to continue the scheme in the XI Plan as also for its expansion was prepared by the M/o HRD. For this EFC was  done in June,2008 and a CCEA note has been circulated in the Ist week of July,08 seeking comments of all concerned. (Updated on 17.07.08)

6.

The State Governments in the NE Region are having problem of training students in both the Hindi and English languages. There should be language training centres established. The proposal may be sent to MHRD/ MDoNER for consideration.

Language Institutions are already functioning in Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. At present there is no proposal for establishment of any more language institution.

7.

Nagaland does not have any National Institute. Ministry of HRD to consider establishment of a Central Institute in Nagaland.

It is not clear if an NIT is to be set up there.  In the absence of any clear indication, it will not be possible to comment.  However, it is pointed out that NITs already exist in Silchar and Agartala and conversion of MIT, Imphal into NIT is already under process.

8.

Under the Mid-Day Meal the wages for cooks and helpers are not adequate care should be taken to ensure that minimum wages are paid to them. A synergy may be established with the NREG Scheme for ensuring minimum wages for the cooks and helpers at least for 100 days.

MHRD is actively considering the issue.

9.

For delivery of Mid-Day Meal (MDM) teachers are involuntarily being involved. Village Panchayats local self governing units/communities may be made responsible for the effective delivery of MDM. Parents may also be involved for this purpose.

MHRD is actively considering the issue

10.

Carriage costs for hill areas of NER to be looked into.

MHRD is actively considering the issue

11.

All the States mentioned that from this year funds are being released by HRD under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) on the 50:50 (Central Grant: State Share) basis whereas they seek 90:10 ratio.

Funding pattern of 90:10 has already been introduced for North Eastern States under SSA programme effective from 2007-08 (necessary orders issued on 25.9.2007) and funds have been released to States as per 90:10 funding pattern.

12.

Engineering and Management Faculties should be operationalised and modern course also introduced as an amount of Rs. 5 crore has been released for each Engineering Faculty and Rs. 2 crore for Management Faculty in the Region.

In order to tackle the problem of regional imbalances in access to higher education, Engineering/Management Faculty has been sanctioned in one Central University in each State of the North East.  Such faculty has also been sanctioned to one State University in those States of the North East, where there is no Central University.  The Ministry has allocated over Rs.100 crore for the Universities of the NER from the additional Rs.153 crore provided by the Planning Commission under the NCMP during the year 2004-05.
During 2004-05, Rs 52 crore was released to five Central Universities in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam and three State Universities in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura (which have been converted into Central Universities later in the year 2006 and 2007) for setting up of Engineering and Management faculties. The courses have been started in all these universities except Mizoram whereas Nagaland University has started only Engineering Faculty so far.  It is expected that Mizoram would be able to launch programmes in both the two streams from the academic year 2008-09.  Likewise, Nagaland University may also start management programmes from ensuing academic session.  The universities have projected requirement of additional funds to the UGC for building up of necessary infrastructure as well as expansion of academic programmes in these two faculties.  It is expected that with increased allocation during the 11th Plan period, it should be possible for the UGC to release necessary funds.

13.

Process of updating/upgrading the knowledge and competencies of teachers, specially in science and mathematics to be addressed by the Ministry of HRD.

IGNOU is to set up an Institute for Professional Competency Advancement of Teachers through ODL in the NER for training and continuous upgradation of skills of the teachers in the Region.

SPORTS SECTOR

1.

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) have drafted a Sports Policy with the theme of Sports for all. The Policy has been circulated to all the States and also put up on the internet for comments and endorsement by the State. All the States appreciated, supported and endorsed the Draft Sports Policy subject to minor amendments, if any.

 ‘Draft Comprehensive National Sports Policy 2008’ prepared by MoYAS has not been approved by the Cabinet.

2.

“Catch them Young” policy should be adopted for exploiting the immense potential in sports and for promoting the sport activities in the Country.

A new scheme called Panchayati Yuva Kreeda Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA)   has recently been approved by the cabinet. It seeks to provide, inter-alia, sports infrastructure including SAI training centres for youth, standard-size playing field in every panchayat with funds for purchase of both consumable and non-consumable items including their maintenance at Block and District levels. It has provision to provide Rs. I lakh at village level and Rs.5 lakh at the Block level.  This will go a long way in encouraging sports talent at the grass root level. It has budget  provision of Rs. 1500 crore in the XI plan.

3.

Due to inadequate funding many of the projects are lying unfinished. Sufficient funding should be provided for early completion of the projects. NEC should release funds in three instalments for completion of the projects sanctioned by it. Projects retained under NLCPR schemes will be followed up for expeditious sanction. The State Governments should submit Utilization Certificate at the earliest as delay in submission of UCs results in delay in release of funds.

Consequent upon the transfer of the sports infrastructure schemes to state sector w.e.f 1.4.2005, no fresh cases of sports infrastructure projects have been considered from 1.4.2005 onwards. However, for committed liabilities of sports infrastructure projects approved prior to 1.4.2005 for all states including Arunachal Pradesh, the Ministry will soon take up the matter with the Planning Commission for providing funds as no funds have been  provided during 2008-09 for sports infrastructure projects under the erstwhile centrally sponsored sports infrastructure schemes. 

4.

The State Governments in NER are not able to develop Sports infrastructure due to financial constraints. MoYAS and Ministry of DONER may consider providing financial support for developing sports infrastructure in rural/urban/hill areas. In case of request for funds from Ministry of DONER, projects will need to be prioritized by the State Governments in their Priority Lists.

Mo YAS has already got an approved scheme of PYKKA which takes care of all these aspects in rural/hilly areas of the NER.

5.

Funding under Central Sector Schemes of MoYAS should be done in 90: 10 ratio.

Under recently approved PYKKA, the Central-State funds share is in the ratio 90:10 in respect of special category States including NE states while it is 75:25 in respect of other  states.

6.

MoYAS will examine providing support for popular games like Archery and other indigenous games in NE States.

In the PYKKA, specific thrust has been given to indigenous sports and also traditional sports.

7.

MoYAS will also examine providing support for setting up Centre of Excellence for training of Coaches and also for developing Yoga Centres.

Updated Information yet to be received from SAI

8.

Adventure Sports will be included as an important component of Sports Policy as it has tremendous potential in NER.

Updated Information yet to be received from SAI

9.

MoYAS will take up the matter with Taekwondo Federation for relocation of National Taekwondo championship in Nagaland instead of Vishakhapattanam.

Due to dispute in the management of Taekwondo Federation of India, the Ministry is, at present, not dealing with any faction of the Federation. Moreover, the Ministry has not approved any event of the Federation including National Championships during the last 2-3 years.

10.

The DPRs of project proposals under NLCPR will be expeditiously examined by MoYAS/SAI.

This is considered by MoYAS.

11.

Sports Authority of India will take up repairs of Dimapur Sports complex building and will also take up construction of Hostel.

Sports Authority of India has approved Rs. 14.86 lakhs for the Dimapur Centre and the funds have been released to the North East Centre of SAI. The work has also been awarded to the State PWD by the local centre.

ART AND CULTURE SECTOR

1.

The Summit unanimously appealed that Scheme of Setting up of Multipurpose Cultural Complex should be revived.

This is the only Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the Ministry of Culture. This scheme was discontinued as it was indicated that no Centrally Sponsored scheme with an allocation below Rs. 300 crore should be continued. The scheme aims at setting up of infrastructure such as theatres, auditoriums, libraries etc. Minister, Culture wrote  to Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission requesting for revival of the Scheme.

2.

NEC to work out what should be done for intellectual Property Rights of Crafts, Handicrafts of NE as has been done in China.

Action to be initiated by NEC in consultation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (DIPP)

3.

NEC would have to act as single window for development of floriculture and adventure sports and exports of flowers and handicraft items.

Action to be initiated by NEC in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture under Technology Mission.

4.

Non-availability of UCs is sometimes a manifestation of larger problems afflicting the NER and the NEC should look into the problem in a holistic manner and factor the NE-specific problems into the solution.

NEC reviews with States the submission of UCs from time to time. Secretary has also appointed nodal officers to coordinate the matter with the States.

5.

NEC would set up a cell for generation for public awareness in the NER about the Central Schemes. It should disseminate information about such schemes so that the people in the NER can take advantage of the same.

Action is being taken for collection of information by all the sectors of NEC as a step towards this.

6.

In case of the schemes/ projects in the Art & Culture sectors, the maxim of accepting only those worth more than Rs. 2 crore would be relaxed.

 Secretary, NEC to flag the issue in the  Council Meeting.

7.

An Institute of Mountaineering, Adventure Sports and Disaster Management should be located in Arunachal Pradesh at Dirang near the snow line. North Eastern Council has already communicated to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh for allotting 30 to 40 acres of land for this purpose. The preliminary Report is under preparation. Dr. (Smt.) Barthakur, Member, NEC to coordinate this issue.

Action already initiated by the NEC. Government of Arunachal Pradesh has allotted land. Indian Mountaineering Federation will collaborate. Action to take an officer from the IMF on deputation from the purpose has been initiated.